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Artwalk celebrates 25 years with full lineup of events

The Red Deer Artwalk Festival is celebrating its own quarter-century anniversary during the city’s centennial year.With two big birthdays to acknowledge, the June 5 to 15 festival promises a wide array of special events.

The Red Deer Artwalk Festival is celebrating its own quarter-century anniversary during the city’s centennial year.

With two big birthdays to acknowledge, the June 5 to 15 festival promises a wide array of special events. This year’s Artwalk Festival will be a run-up to Red Deer hosting the Lieutenant Governor Distinguished Artist Awards Gala at Red Deer College on Saturday, June 15.

The creativity kicks off with Artists about Town demonstrations starting on Wednesday, June 5, with Betty Schnell showing her painting techniques at The Hub on Ross from 4 to 6 p.m. in downtown Red Deer.

Mixed-media artist Bob Alspach will do a demo from 9 p.m. to noon on Saturday, June 8, at Red Deer’s Public Market, while Alysse Bowd creates interactive art on mapping from 1 to 4 p.m. on Sunday, June 9, on Michener Hill, near the former Michener administrative (now Alberta Health Services) building.

On Monday, June 10, Jeffery Malcolmson will demonstrate drawing from 3 to 5:30 p.m. at The Hub on Ross Street, and potter Dawn Candy will do some clay work at the Red Deer Recreation Centre on Wednesday, June 12, from 3:30 to 6 p.m.

On Sunday, June 9, Red Deer ceramicist Shirley Rimer will speak at the Red Deer Museum and Art Gallery about her 34-year practise, which has drawn influences from her various residencies in other parts of Canada, as well as the U.S., Greece, Mexico, China, Italy and France.

Rimer will take audience members on a visual tour of her pottery work, as it has grown and changed from 2 to 4 p.m.

There’s no admission charge and refreshments will be served.

On Thursday, June 13, from 7 to 10 p.m., the Artwalk Amble Gallery Tour will be held. Those interested can hop aboard a chartered bus for a tour of art galleries throughout the city. The tour starts and ends at the Red Deer Museum and Art Gallery and also visits the Kiwanis Gallery, the Harris-Warke Gallery, and Red Deer College, to view its permanent collection.

Tickets are $20 ($15 for those 13 and under) from the Red Deer museum, or Sunworks at 4924 Ross St.

The festival culminates in the grand event at the park behind the Red Deer Recreation Centre on Saturday, June 15, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

An art market, food booths, interactive demonstrations, crafts, and live music will be available from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at this free, all ages outdoor event.

Rimer will make ceramics in the park, Patti Morris will demonstrate her fabric art, Dawn Detarando will do printmaking, while Cindy Jones will demonstrate branding as art.

Central Albertans are encouraged to “put yourself in the picture” by attending Artwalk. More information is available at info@reddeerartwalk.ca.